The 10 Best Movies of 2012 That You Didn't See

Every year around this time we get bombarded with “Best of the Year” lists of movies that we’ve all seen. "The Avengers" made more money than most small countries so you don’t need me to tell you that it was fantastic. Instead, here are ten really great movies that you probably didn’t see in 2012. Enjoy!

10. Moonrise Kingdom

Probably the most heartfelt Wes Anderson movie to date, "Moonrise Kingdom" is full of great performances and exceptional direction. If you’ve enjoyed any of his previous films, this should definitely be on your watch list.

Every year around this time we get bombarded with “Best of the Year” lists of movies that we’ve all seen. "The Avengers" made more money than most small countries so you don’t need me to tell you that it was fantastic. Instead, here are ten really great movies that you probably didn’t see in 2012. Enjoy!

10. Moonrise Kingdom

Probably the most heartfelt Wes Anderson movie to date, "Moonrise Kingdom" is full of great performances and exceptional direction. If you’ve enjoyed any of his previous films, this should definitely be on your watch list.

Focus Features/Photofest

9. The Factory

I’m really not sure how this movie didn’t get a theatrical release, especially boasting a strong cast lead by John Cusack and Dexter’s Jennifer Carpenter. It’s a solid crime thriller with a few really nice twists that definitely exceeded my expectations.

9. The Factory

I’m really not sure how this movie didn’t get a theatrical release, especially boasting a strong cast lead by John Cusack and Dexter’s Jennifer Carpenter. It’s a solid crime thriller with a few really nice twists that definitely exceeded my expectations.

Dark Castle Entertainment/Silver Pictures

8. The Innkeepers

Ti West is quickly becoming one of the most reliable, solid horror and suspense directors in the industry. "The Innkeepers" does seem somewhat slow at times but in a world where we have 644 "Saw" movies a little pacing is a welcomed change.

8. The Innkeepers

Ti West is quickly becoming one of the most reliable, solid horror and suspense directors in the industry. "The Innkeepers" does seem somewhat slow at times but in a world where we have 644 "Saw" movies a little pacing is a welcomed change.

Magnet Releasing

7. Sound of My Voice

"Sound of My Voice" is about a couple that infiltrates a cult lead by a young woman who claims to be from the future. It’s fascinating and surprisingly emotional, but the abrupt ending is probably what kept it from getting serious attention.

7. Sound of My Voice

"Sound of My Voice" is about a couple that infiltrates a cult lead by a young woman who claims to be from the future. It’s fascinating and surprisingly emotional, but the abrupt ending is probably what kept it from getting serious attention.

Fox Searchlight Pictures

6. Killer Joe

The NC-17 William Friedkin film may not be for everyone, but Matthew McConaughey perfectly fills the lead role and delivers a performance that is twisted, hilarious, perverse, and most of all incredibly cool.

6. Killer Joe

The NC-17 William Friedkin film may not be for everyone, but Matthew McConaughey perfectly fills the lead role and delivers a performance that is twisted, hilarious, perverse, and most of all incredibly cool.

LD Entertainment

5. Silent House

Elizabeth Olsen won me over in “Martha Marcy May Marlene” so I was incredibly excited to see her in “Silent House.” This is one of the more ambitious films you’ll see, as it takes place in real time in a single uninterrupted shot. It’s suspenseful and claustrophobic as the up close camera work makes us feel like we’re with Olsen every step of the way.

5. Silent House

Elizabeth Olsen won me over in “Martha Marcy May Marlene” so I was incredibly excited to see her in “Silent House.” This is one of the more ambitious films you’ll see, as it takes place in real time in a single uninterrupted shot. It’s suspenseful and claustrophobic as the up close camera work makes us feel like we’re with Olsen every step of the way.

Open Road Films/Universal Pictures

4. Detention

"Detention" is the most ADHD movie I’ve ever seen and honestly I don’t know how exactly to categorize it. Rotten Tomatoes describes it as “an apocalyptic fantasy, horror, science fiction, action-thriller, body-swapping, time-traveling teen romantic comedy” so I’ll just leave it at that. It’s a lot of fun and I wish a lot more people had seen it.

4. Detention

"Detention" is the most ADHD movie I’ve ever seen and honestly I don’t know how exactly to categorize it. Rotten Tomatoes describes it as “an apocalyptic fantasy, horror, science fiction, action-thriller, body-swapping, time-traveling teen romantic comedy” so I’ll just leave it at that. It’s a lot of fun and I wish a lot more people had seen it.

Samuel Goldwyn Films

3. Red Lights

With a limited theatrical release and early negative reviews, "Red Lights" quickly disappeared from the public eye, which is quite unfortunate. “Red Lights” is full of A listers including Robert De Niro, Sigourney Weaver, a really nice performance from Cillian Murphy, and, once again, the lovely Elizabeth Olsen. Throughout the film we follow a team of researchers who debunk fraudulent claims of paranormal and psychic phenomenons until they come across De Niro who begins to cause the team to question everything they believe.

3. Red Lights

With a limited theatrical release and early negative reviews, "Red Lights" quickly disappeared from the public eye, which is quite unfortunate. “Red Lights” is full of A listers including Robert De Niro, Sigourney Weaver, a really nice performance from Cillian Murphy, and, once again, the lovely Elizabeth Olsen. Throughout the film we follow a team of researchers who debunk fraudulent claims of paranormal and psychic phenomenons until they come across De Niro who begins to cause the team to question everything they believe.

Lionsgate/Millennium Entertainment/Warner Bros.

2. The Cabin in the Woods

The problem with "The Cabin in the Woods" is that it’s so smart and meta that there was no way to do a trailer for it that fully represented the movie. It pokes fun at the horror genre at a level even further than "Scream" while paying homage to all the classics. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at a stereotypical horror movie, you owe it to yourself to check out "The Cabin in the Woods." JOSS WHEDON MADE IT!

2. The Cabin in the Woods

The problem with "The Cabin in the Woods" is that it’s so smart and meta that there was no way to do a trailer for it that fully represented the movie. It pokes fun at the horror genre at a level even further than "Scream" while paying homage to all the classics. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at a stereotypical horror movie, you owe it to yourself to check out "The Cabin in the Woods." JOSS WHEDON MADE IT!

Lionsgate/Photofest

1. The Grey

When I first saw the trailer for “The Grey” I said out loud “Oh great, it’s "Taken" but with wolves!” Then it was released in January, which if you don’t know is the movie graveyard, so I said “Well this is going to be terrible.” Was I ever wrong. "The Grey" is a 100% character driven survival tale that is as gripping as it is impactful. Don’t break this one out for your guy’s night unless you’re ok with sobbing uncontrollably on your bros.

1. The Grey

When I first saw the trailer for “The Grey” I said out loud “Oh great, it’s "Taken" but with wolves!” Then it was released in January, which if you don’t know is the movie graveyard, so I said “Well this is going to be terrible.” Was I ever wrong. "The Grey" is a 100% character driven survival tale that is as gripping as it is impactful. Don’t break this one out for your guy’s night unless you’re ok with sobbing uncontrollably on your bros.